Backup energy: power, light and heat when the grid goes down
A few hours without power is an inconvenience. A few days in winter is a serious problem. Here is how to keep your phone charged, the lights on and the house warm.
Guides
- Home solar and alternative energy Which renewable systems make sense for a home, how a solar system with battery backup works in a power cut, and what you can do even in an apartment.
- Heating without power What to do in winter when the power and heating go off: how to keep the warmth in one room, which heat sources are safe indoors and what you must never use.
Gear worth having
- Equipment Portable power stations What a 500, 1,000 or 2,000 Wh power station can run, how long it keeps a fridge, boiler or router going, LiFePO4 vs NMC, and when a solar panel is worth it.
- Equipment UPS backup for a gas boiler Why a gas boiler shuts down in a power cut, what kind of UPS it needs (pure sine wave, power rating, battery), how to work out how many hours you get, common installation problems and when a portable power station is the better choice.
- Equipment Home generators Conventional or inverter, gasoline, diesel or propane? How to size a generator, how to connect it to your house legally and why you never run it in the garage.
- Equipment Light and communication without power Which flashlights and lanterns are worth it, why you need a battery radio, how to keep your phone alive for days and how to stay in touch when the mobile network is down.